Lego spill blocks highway

Thousands of Legos spilled on West Virginia interstate after a strap holding the container came loose. (Source: North Central and Central WV Working Fires Facebook)

ANMOORE, WV (RNN) - One lane of Interstate 79 in West Virginia was closed on Sunday, but not because of winter weather – it was because of Legos.

"A car was traveling on Interstate 79 south when a carriage container on the top of the vehicle full of Legos fell off when a strap came loose," said Eric McClain, a fire fighter on the scene. "It took us about 15 to 20 minutes to sweep the Legos off the actual lanes to re-open them for traffic."

McCain estimates 3,000 to 5,000 Lego pieces covered the highway.

The Facebook page for the Anmoore Fire Fighters/First Responders, in Anmoore WV, is filled comments from people wanting to donate money and Legos to the 11-year-old boy who lost his building blocks on the highway.

"It was a tragedy in his young life and I completely understand. Watching the boy first-hand, crying his eyes out was heart breaking, but I see that people from our communities are coming together to help make this little guys life a whole lot better," McCain said.

Tiffany Lantz took full responsibility and apologized on the group's Facebook page, explaining the totes carrying the Legos belonging to her 11-year-old son were strapped to the top of their Durango – and the strap came loose.

"….[H]e cried it seemed like forever but I tried to recover as many as I could cause I don't have the money to buy him anymore," Lantz wrote. "Sorry to anyone that got stuck in traffic."